Raheem Sterling of Manchester City is challenged by John Stones of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium on January 13, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Much like the traffic heading into Manchester, Everton were simply not for moving.

The Blues didn't quite park the bus on a night where delays meant thousands of Evertonians missed kick-off but they stood their ground, dug in and gritted their teeth to stall Manchester City's title hopes.

Tim Howard was the hero, making four fine saves in seven second-half minutes to keep the home side at bay, but captain Phil Jagielka led a whole-hearted, committed and organised display that kept City out.

Everton rode their luck in the dying moments when John Stones brought down Raheem Sterling in the area but the home side's appeals for a penalty were dismissed by referee Roger East.

But then, those of a Blue persuasion were due a slice of fortune on a night that had started so miserably.

Gridlocked traffic heading into Manchester and towards the Etihad meant coach loads of Everton fans didn't get to see the first 15 minutes of this game but when they finally made it to the ground, they quickly saw their side in determined mood.

Roberto Martinez's players produced the type of stout, resolute and dogged defensive performance many fans had feared they were not capable of.

Wonderful in attack, the Blues' hopes of breaking into the top four were being held back by their wobbly defence and though this point against champions-elect City couldn't move them up the Premier League table it did, at least, cut the gap to the top four, if only by the smallest of margins.

But what more did this performance say about Everton heading into the second-half of the campaign – and also into the second leg of the Capital One Cup in two weeks' time?

Not a bad dress rehearsal

As dress rehearsals go, it wasn't bad at all.

It wasn't flawless, Everton mustered one meaningful shot on target, but a draw here on January 27 will be good enough for them to make it to the final and if they are able to summon such strength and defiance throughout their remaining 17 league games, then this talented side cannot go far wrong.

The evening had started in troubling fashion, not only for the legions of supporters stuck in tail-backs on the M62 or bumper-to-bumper in central Manchester, but also for Martinez and his players as their arrival was delayed by around half an hour.

Everton managed a full warm-up but if you want to know if the disruption forced a slow start inside the first 20 minutes, then you're best asking a City fan.

(Image: 2016 Getty Images)

The heavy delays heading into Manchester meant that thousands of Evertonians, including the ECHO, missed almost a quarter of the game and there were even unconfirmed reports of supporters' coaches turning round and heading back to Liverpool.

Quite why the Premier League, the match officials or whoever could make that call, weren't able to push the kick-off back – even by 15 minutes – is beyond the understanding of every single one of the paying punters who were forced to rush to their seat.

It wasn't even just the Everton fans who missed a significant chunk of the game but City fans as well and the authorities owe them an explanation as to why the game was not delayed.

For the fans, many paying well over £40 for the privilege of being there, it was unacceptable but by the time the majority of Blues supporters made into the stadium, the encouraging performance of their side will have least help soothe frayed tempers.

Jagielka marshals back-line

City dominated for large spells but in front of an organised Everton back-line, marshaled by Jagielka making his first Premier League appearance since October, they struggled to clear cut chances in the first-half.

That would change after the break when they peppered Howard's goal but it was Everton who felt unfortunate not to have taken a lead into half-time after Leon Osman's crisp volley, from Romelu Lukaku's pass, flew inches wide of the post with Joe Hart rooted to the spot.

City's fans were beginning to get restless, they moaned and groaned at the home side's wastefulness in possession and became uneasy as the visitors grew more confident as the half progressed.

They were much happier, however, with the start City made to the second-half.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Manuel Pellegrini's men were bright and dangerous early on and forced Everton to defend resolutely – and from an increasingly deeper position.

City were gradually turning the screw and Howard, recalled after being rested for back-to-back cup games, produced a clutch of telling saves in the space of seven minutes.

It was quite a way to mark his 350 Premier League appearance for the club.

First, he stopped Sergio Aguero's effort from a corner, he then blocked Raheem Sterling's shot with his feet and did likewise with Kevin De Bruyne's cross-shot.

But the American's best save arrived two minutes later when he rushed from his line and smothered Aguero's shot after the City striker had turned Ramiro Funes Mori in the area.

Howard's recall was a largely unpopular decision but he vindicated Martinez's faith in him here with crucial saves at a time when the home side began cranking up the pressure.

In front of him, Jagielka was colossal and though Funes Mori didn't always have it his own way, he was largely excellent.

Blues refused to buckle

City kept driving forward, they sent wave after wave of attack in Everton's direction but the Blues refused to buckle.

Martinez, striving for perfection with this side, will no doubt reflect with some disappointment the way in which Everton handled what little possession came their way in the second-half and also rue Lukaku's missed header late on, but he can be nothing that delighted with the way they defended.

(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

He will have feared it was all to unravel in the final few seconds of time added-on, however, when Stones lunged at Sterling, connected with his trailing leg and brought the winger down.

Hearts were in mouths, time felt like it stood still and Evertonians took a sharp in-take of breath as referee East raised his arm.

To the Blues relief, he pointed for a goal-kick.

Everton managed to see out the final few seconds to earn a well deserved draw and the players made sure to salute the away fans at the end who stayed behind.